Citi ThankYou Rewards reduces transfer rates from cards with no annual fee
Yesterday, we reported an e-mail that was sent to Citi Premier cardholders, letting them know that, on 7/27/25, there will be a reduction in the transfer rate to Emirates Skywards from 1:1 to 1:0.8. That’s not the only bad news for ThankYou points, however. It turns out that another notice was sent to cardholders of the […] The post Citi ThankYou Rewards reduces transfer rates from cards with no annual fee appeared first on Frequent Miler. Frequent Miler may receive compensation from CHASE. American Express, Capital One, or other partners.
Yesterday, we reported an e-mail that was sent to Citi Premier cardholders, letting them know that, on 7/27/25, there will be a reduction in the transfer rate to Emirates Skywards from 1:1 to 1:0.8.
That’s not the only bad news for ThankYou points, however. It turns out that another notice was sent to cardholders of the Citi Double Cash, Points Plus and Rewards+ cards, notifying them that direct transfer rates to several partners would be decreasing on the same day as well.
It’s worth noting that this only affects Double Cash and Rewards+ customers who do not have a Premier or Prestige card.
The News
- Starting 7/27, Citi ThankYou Rewards will be reducing the direct transfer rates to several partners for cardholders of the Double Cash, Points Plus or Rewards+ cards who do not also have a Prestige or Premier card as well:
| Current Redemption Value for Points Transfers: |
| 1,000 ThankYou Rewards Points are transferable for 800 TrueBlue Points 1,000 ThankYou Rewards Points are transferable for 1,500 Choice Privileges Points 1,000 ThankYou Rewards Points are transferable for 800 Wyndham Rewards Points |
| New Redemption Value for Points Transfers, effective 07/27: |
| 1,000 ThankYou Rewards Points are transferable for 700 JetBlue) Points (down 12.5%) 1,000 ThankYou Rewards Points are transferable for 1,400 Choice Points (down 6.7%) 1,000 ThankYou Rewards Points are transferable for 700 Wyndham Points (down 12.5%) |
Quick Thoughts
Many Double Cash and Rewards+ cardholders don’t realize that they have the ability to transfer directly to partners to begin with. Although it’s possible, it’s never something that we recommend, as the transfer rates are terrible, especially compared to the 1:1 ratios for JetBlue and Wyndham and 1:2 ratio to Choice Privileges you can get if you also hold the Citi Premier or Prestige cards (as well as a much broader menu of travel partner options.
In general, by using those reduced transfers, you’re not getting much better than 1 cent per point, which is the same that you by instantly using ThankYou points for statement credits. I’m sure that some people occasionally took advantage of it, either to top off balances or for high-value awards, but having the Premier as well makes it a much richer proposition.
Like I wrote yesterday, my hope is that this doesn’t signal any greater changes for ThankYou points, either in terms of transfer partners or rates. I don’t remember the last time that a transferable program changed the rates for several partners in such quick succession. In and of themselves, they’re all fairly minor. But if this heralds further devaluations to the Premier and Prestige portfolio down the road, it would make me much less grateful for ThankYou points.
The post Citi ThankYou Rewards reduces transfer rates from cards with no annual fee appeared first on Frequent Miler. Frequent Miler may receive compensation from CHASE. American Express, Capital One, or other partners.
